Vendor Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What is Common Goods?
Our platform is a marketplace dedicated to connecting Canadian small businesses with domestic customers. In light of the impending 25% tariffs on Canadian goods entering the US market, we provide an immediate solution for businesses looking to pivot to the domestic market.
Why should I join this platform?
Urgent Market Shift: With 80% of Canadian small businesses currently dependent on US customers, the upcoming tariffs create an immediate need to develop domestic sales channels.
Cost-Effective Customer Acquisition: Reduce the 30%+ of revenue typically spent on digital advertising by accessing our audience of 1M+ people looking to Buy Canadian.
No Upfront Costs: Free listings.
Revenue from Day One: Leverage our established affiliate programs.
Hyper local and values-based filtering: Connect with high-intent local customers specifically interested in your products.
When is the platform launching?
The platform is scheduled to launch in Q2 2025, in step the tariff implementation. Exact date TBD. We currently have a beta version built and tested with 6,000+ customers on our pre-launch waitlist.
Getting Started
How do I register my business?
Registration is simple:
1. Complete our online merchant application form
2. Once approved, complete our survey to verify your Canadian business information
3. Upload your product catalog or connect via API
What types of businesses can join?
We welcome Canadian-owned small businesses that sell physical products. Currently, we're focusing on apparel, footwear, kids, housewares, gifts, stationary, and craft supplies, with plans to expand to additional categories in Q3 2025.
At this time, businesses with their own online stores up and running (e.g. on Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Etsy) are the best fit for Common Goods.
Is there a fee to join?
No, listings are free.
In the future, vendors who choose to participate in our unified checkout will be subject to a standard commission on all sales that take place on Common Goods. Participation is optional.
Operations and Technical
How do I list my products?
You can list products through:
Direct API integration (recommended)
Bulk upload via CSV file
Manual entry through our merchant dashboard
Do you provide product photography or content creation?
While we don't currently offer photography services, our platform provides optimization tools to help your existing content perform better. We also offer guidelines for creating effective product listings.
Will you be handling the checkout process?
During Phase 1 (March 2025 - May 2025), customers will complete purchases on your existing website. In Phase 2 (Q3 2025), we plan to introduce an integrated checkout option.
Marketing and Customer Acquisition
How will you drive traffic to my listings?
Our platform leverages:
6,000+ pre-registered customers on our waitlist
1M+ active audience in Buy Canadian communities
Targeted digital marketing campaigns focusing on "Buy Canadian" sentiment
Detailed product filtering to connect customers with relevant offerings
Content marketing highlighting the importance of supporting domestic businesses.
How is your platform different from existing marketplaces?
Exclusively Canadian: Focus solely on Canadian businesses and customers
Timing: Strategic launch aligned with the critical market shift due to tariffs
Low Cost: No upfront fees during the transition period
Performance: Our previous marketplace achieved 3x higher CTR and conversion vs. Google Shopping
Low Commission: Marketplaces like Amazon take 15-25% in commission and fees. Common Goods will never exceed 10% and we aim to land around 7% by maintaining distributed fulfillment networks (no warehouses).
Own your customer relationships: Other marketplaces deliberately obfuscate customer data to keep their monopoly status. On Common Goods, you always own the relationship with the customer - their email, marketing preferences, and any interactions with your products. After all, our mission is to connect great buyers and sellers, not come in between them.
Will I receive data about my customers and performance?
Yes, our merchant dashboard provides:
Detailed analytics on traffic, clicks, and conversions
Customer demographic information (anonymized in accordance with GDPR)
Performance benchmarks compared to similar businesses
Optimization recommendations
These analytics are scheduled to launch in July, 2025.
Support and Resources
What kind of merchant support do you provide?
Dedicated onboarding specialist
Technical support for product uploads and integration
Regular webinars on domestic market strategies
Community forum for merchant collaboration
How do I get help if I have questions?
Our merchant support team is available via:
Email: val@commongoods.ca
Live chat in our merchant Facebook group (during business hours)
Are there any educational resources available?
Yes, we will provide:
Guides on optimizing for the Canadian market
Webinars on adapting to the tariff changes
Best practices for product listings and domestic shipping
Case studies from successfully transitioned businesses
These resources will become available in April, 2025.
Future Development
What are your plans beyond the initial launch?
As outlined in our Phase 2 (Q3 2025) plans, we will:
Expand domestic market penetration
Introduce integrated checkout
Develop additional merchant support services
Scale to additional product categories
How can I provide feedback on the platform?
We actively seek merchant feedback through:
Regular surveys
Our merchant advisory board
Direct communication with our support team
Beta testing opportunities for new features
You can reach our founder directly at val@commongoods.ca
Policies
Vendor Terms and Conditions
Terms & Conditions - Common Goods Collective Inc
Last Updated: 02.26.2026
1. Introduction
These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of the Canadian Small Business Discovery Platform ("Platform"), operated by Common Goods("Company," "we," "us," or "our"). By registering as a vendor on our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. Please read them carefully.
2. Eligibility
To register as a vendor on our Platform, you must:
Be a legally registered business in Canada
Have a physical address in Canada
Have the legal right to sell all listed products
Be at least 18 years of age and able to form legally binding contracts
3. Registration and Account
3.1 Application Process
All vendor applications are subject to review and approval by our team
We reserve the right to reject applications at our sole discretion
You agree to provide accurate and complete information during registration
3.2 Account Security
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
You agree to notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account
We reserve the right to terminate accounts that violate these Terms
4. Listing Requirements
4.1 Product Eligibility
All products must comply with Canadian laws and regulations
Products must be accurately described and represented
We prohibit the listing of illegal, counterfeit, or restricted items
4.2 Content Standards
Product descriptions, images, and other content must be accurate and not misleading
You retain ownership of your content but grant us a license to use it for platform purposes
We reserve the right to remove content that violates these Terms
4.3 Pricing and Inventory
You are responsible for setting your own prices
You must maintain accurate inventory information
We do not guarantee product visibility or sales volume
5. Affiliate Program and Commissions
5.1 Fee Structure
During Phase 1, there are no fees charged to list your products on Common Goods. We do not process any transaction and act as a directory. Your product listings in our catalogue will link back to your own website where customers can place an order.
5.2 Tracking and Reporting
During Phase 2 (estimated June, 2025) we will introduce a unified checkout. Participating in the unified checkout is completely optional. Vendors will be given 30 days notice to decide to opt in or out of unified checkout. Sales will be tracked through standard checkout and order processing.
We will provide reporting on clicks, conversions, and commissions.
Disputes regarding commission must be raised within 30 days of the transaction
5.3 Commission Payment
During phase 2 (June 2025 onwards) for vendors who have opted in to Unified Checkout, commissions will be calculated weekly
Payments will be processed according to our standard terms (anticipated 7% commission).
We reserve the right to withhold payments for fraudulent or disputed transactions
6. Platform Operations
6.1 Phase 1 Operations
Customers will complete purchases on your existing website
You are responsible for all aspects of the transaction including payment processing, fulfillment, customer service, and returns
The Platform serves as a discovery and referral service only during Phase 1
6.2 Future Development
We plan to introduce integrated checkout and additional services in Phase 2 (Q3 2025)
Additional terms will be provided before implementation of these features
You will have the option to opt in or out of these additional services and 30 days notice to do so.
7. Vendor Responsibilities
7.1 Customer Service
You are responsible for providing customer service for all transactions
You must respond to customer inquiries within 2 business days
You must honor your stated return and refund policies
7.2 Fulfillment and Shipping
You are responsible for accurate order fulfillment
You must ship products within your stated timeframes
You must provide tracking information when available
7.3 Compliance
You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations
You are responsible for collecting and remitting appropriate taxes
You must maintain all necessary licenses and permits for your business
8. Platform Rights and Responsibilities
8.1 Service Availability
We strive to maintain Platform availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access
We reserve the right to modify or discontinue features with reasonable notice
We are not liable for any loss resulting from Platform downtime or modifications
8.2 Vendor Support
We will provide reasonable technical support for Platform integration
We will offer resources to help optimize your listings
Support availability is subject to our current staffing and resources
8.3 Data and Analytics
We will provide analytics on your listing performance
We collect and use data in accordance with our Privacy Policy
We may use aggregated, anonymized data for Platform improvement
9. Term and Termination
9.1 Term
These Terms commence upon your registration approval
They continue until terminated by either party
9.2 Termination by Vendor
You may terminate your participation with 30 days written notice
Termination does not relieve you of obligations for transactions before termination
We will continue to pay commissions earned prior to termination
9.3 Termination by Platform
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account for violations of these Terms
We may remove listings that violate our policies
We may terminate accounts for prolonged inactivity
10. Intellectual Property
10.1 Platform IP
All Platform content and features are owned by or licensed to us
You receive a limited license to use the Platform for its intended purpose
You may not copy, modify, or create derivative works based on our Platform
10.2 Vendor IP
You retain ownership of your trademarks, product images, descriptions, and other content
You grant us a non-exclusive license to use your content for Platform purposes
You warrant that your content does not infringe on third-party rights
11. Liability Limitations
11.1 Disclaimer of Warranties
The Platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind
We do not guarantee any specific results from Platform participation
We do not warrant that the Platform will meet all of your business requirements
11.2 Limitation of Liability
Our liability is limited to direct damages not exceeding the total commissions paid to us in the 3 months preceding the claim
We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
These limitations apply to all claims regardless of legal theory
11.3 Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold us harmless from claims arising from your products, content, or violations of these Terms
This includes reasonable legal fees and expenses
We will provide notice of such claims and allow you to participate in the defense
12. Dispute Resolution
12.1 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of [Your Canadian Province]
Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of [Your Canadian City/Province]
You consent to the jurisdiction of such courts
12.2 Alternative Dispute Resolution
Both parties agree to attempt good faith resolution of disputes
Disputes may first be submitted to non-binding mediation
Mediation costs will be shared equally by both parties
13. General Provisions
13.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and us
They supersede any prior agreements or understandings
Additional terms may apply to specific features or services
13.2 Amendments
We reserve the right to modify these Terms with 30 days notice
Notice will be provided via email and/or Platform announcement
Your continued use after such notice constitutes acceptance
13.3 Severability
If any provision is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in effect
Unenforceable provisions will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to be enforceable
13.4 No Waiver
Our failure to enforce any right or provision does not constitute a waiver
All waivers must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative
13.5 Assignment
You may not assign your rights under these Terms without our written consent
We may assign our rights to an affiliate or successor organization
14. Contact Information
For questions regarding these Terms, please contact us at:
Email: val@commongoods.ca
Address: 145 1/2 Church Street, Unit 5, Office 28, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
By registering for the Canadian Small Business Discovery Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.